Intravenous infusion of a dextrin, Caloreen, in human subjects: metabolic studies

1. Caloreen, a glucose-polymer dextrin infused into human volunteers, although producing a clear increase in total plasma carbohydrate did not produce a satisfactory increase in plasma glucose levels or serum insulin levels. 2. Urinary losses were high and although small fragments of the dextrin (suggesting metabolic breakdown of the dextrin) were demonstrated in the urine, no suppression of plasma free fatty acid, glucagon or immediate increase in the respiratory quotient were noted, suggesting that the metabolism is too slow to make it useful for parenteral nutrition in its present form. 3. A dextrin with fewer branch-links might be more suitable.